University of Wisc Committed To Stronger Presence In China

UW-Madison sent four official delegations to China over the last two years, accelerated research connections with the country and aggressively recruited Chinese students to study here.

Now, UW-Madison leaders are laying the groundwork for a physical foothold in China in what would be the school’s first foreign office.

A delegation led by Gilles Bousquet, dean of the Division of International Studies and vice provost of globalization, left Saturday to explore a partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and a research park in the Minhang District of Shanghai. The office wouldn’t operate as a campus, Bousquet said, but it would give UW-Madison an on-the-ground presence to expand study abroad, internship and research opportunities for UW-Madison students and faculty.

“(The Chinese) are investing an enormous amount of money in higher education,” Bousquet said. “I think we are still ahead, but in five to 10 years, the labs they are building are going to be top tier. We want to make sure our researchers, our students are connected to this new powerhouse of education. Because it’s going to happen. It’s a matter of a decade."